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Following last year’s success, Julian’s 2nd Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival, benefitting Volcan Mountain Foundation, returns May 17 – 19, 2013 with an expanded program with 44 new films, almost twelve hours of unrepeated screening time, broken into 9 sessions from Friday to Sunday and a weekend of entertainment to delight audiences of all ages!
Several of the films I have produced are included in the festival and I will be giving a presentation on Filming the Wilds of San Diego.
Last weekend I filmed the release of dozens of endangered Palos Verdes Blue butterflies at the Linden H. Chandler Preserve in Rolling Hills for Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.
San Diego Wild Web Tv
Is now featured on Adventure 16 website. Adventure 16 is a great resource for all your outdoor recreation and travel gear.
New Film!
Ecology of Little Sycamore Canyon
Laguna Canyon Foundation (VIEW)
Laguna Canyon Foundation (VIEW)
Fieldnotes.com is now featured on San Diego Loves Green – A great on-line resource for everything that’s green.
I was recently linked to a powerful article by ecologist Renee Owens titled Be Afraid, Be VERY Afraid! Te article is on how people are becoming alarmingly afraid of wildlife and disconnected with nature. (Read article)
From this link I made the connection with San Diego Loves Green. It contains a growing number of articles and videos on green business, environment and nature. Now, some of the films I have produced for local organizations will also be presented on this website. fieldnotes.com is currently featured on the San Diego Loves Green home page with a few images from the Wilds of San Diego. Explore this important green resource.
San Diego Wild Web TV
Fieldnotes San Diego
NEW RELEASE
Recreational Opportunities at
Mission Trails Regional Park
City of San Diego -
Parks & Recreation
(VIEW)
You can watch most of the wild web films in the Fieldnotes series on this special on-line channel. You can surf through individual programs or start at any point and the series will atuomatically play just like a TV channel, only without the commercials. New programs are being added all the time.
In an effort to reach a broader audience with this programming I am asking businesses to share these films with clients or visitors by turning their office, lobby or anywhere people have to wait for a period of time into a small theater for the San Diego Wild Web TV series. By doing so you will be helping to increase awareness and appreciation of San Diego’s human history and incredible natural diversity. Much better than watching old sitcoms!
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 3
Bonus Mini-Doc Offer!
Let's make 2013 an important year for protecting, preserving and enjoying wild places. Please take the time to participate in the efforts of conservation organizations that are trying to accomplish these goals. You can find links to organizations that have funded film projects on any of the Film pages or the Sponsor page on this site.
NEW YEAR PRODUCTION PACKAGE OFFER!
An on-going mini-doc series is an excellent way to increase awareness and support for nature conservation efforts. Using outdoor recreation and eco-travel to convey this message is even better. A broader audience will tune into films that have recreation, travel and entertainment value.
I can help you setup your own on-line TV channel that can feature a new mini-doc each month. To help you get started I am offering a Bonus Mini-Doc when you contract for 12 webisodes or a free Wilds piece when you contract for 6 webisodes. This is on top of the already discounted rate for these series.
Please contact me for details at 760-525-6045 or email.
NEW VIDEO!
The Trails of Black Mountain
Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon
(VIEW in HD)
Indiegogo Fundraiser!
The Wilds of California
A Multi Media Photography & Film Campaign Promoting
the California's Natural Diversity
Project
Synopsis
New Film On-Line
The Achaeology of Los Peñasquitos Canyon (VIEW)
Decades of archaeological digs in Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve have
revealed more than 7,000 years of human occupation and use of the land
and its resources. Artifacts from Native Americans, Spaniards,
Mexicans, 19th century settler pioneers reveal much about the struggle
for survival in prehistoric and historic times. Hosted by Archaeologist
Stephen J. Bouscaren, Ph.D., this mini doc follows four college
students as they work on a dig near the historic ranch house in Los
Peñasquitos Canyon. (VIEW)
Photo Mural
New Film
We just installed a large 8'x32' photo mural I shot of a beautiful oak in Upper Laurel Canyon at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. I partnered with Laura Stahlberg at Sola Creative to create, print and install this mural. The image is actually a composite of 50 images shot with a 70mm lens and then stitched together to create one large image. I also provided photography, audio and video for several exhibits in the center.
The Nix Nature Center is a wonderful place to visit to learn about local habitats, flora, fauna and the many hiking opportunities found within the park. (MAP)
New Film!
The History of Los Peñasquitos Ranch (VIEW NOW)FLPC-WF4 Penasquitos Ranch House
This web films gives a brief tour of the old adobe ranch house located in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. The Peñasquitos Ranch House offers a glimpse of the typical activities of the people who lived in the San Diego region over the last 7,000 years, whether they were the native Americans, the Spanish explorers, the Mexican ranchers, or the early American settlers. The economic activities at the ranch house area was typical of the region throughout these millenia. (MAP)
For more information about Los Peñasquitos Canyon explore
Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
In Awe of Nature
A new research paper on Being in Awe Can Expand Time and Enhance Well-Being found that jaw-dropping moments such as experiencing majestic views of the Grand Canyon or the ethereal beauty of the Aurora Borealis made participants feel like they had more time available and made them more patient, less materialistic, and more willing to volunteer time to help others. (Link to article)
It is often views of spectacular landscapes, beautiful sunsets and dramatic clouds formations that create a sense of wonder and awe. But it does not have to be limited to these larger than life experiences. Observing nature up-close can be just as inspiring. A humming bird gathering nectar or a stream trickling through rocks can also provide a sense of wonder and well-being.
High definition film has the ability to capture both spectacular vistas and the intricate detail of life on earth. Films can show things that may go unnoticed otherwise and tell stories such as the connection between those spectacular cloud formations and the precious rain that brings life to a desert landscape.
Photo Murals
Completed the image for 8ft x 32ft wall mural of a beautiful large oak. It is to be installed at the Nix Nature Center in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in a couple weeks.
Received a Certificate of Recognition from City of Carlsbad, California for many years of producing films promoting San Diego County natural treasures, including those of Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve.
Geology Week
Filmed two seegments on geology last week. One for Laguna Canyon Foundation the other for Friends of Los Penasquitos Canyon
Field Notes 5/3/12
Cool Cave in Aliso Wood Canyon
We filmed the first segment for the Laguna Canyon Foundation about A Hike to Dripping Cave last week. This cave was carved out of ancient sandstone most likely by flash flooding and was lived in by Native Americans and bank robbers. Video to be released soon
We used this Canon 400/2.8 with a 2x extender to get shots of an osprey nest atop a powerline poll in National City. We were trying to simulate the view you can get through John Deans’ SkyHawk 9600 binoculars.
Field Notes - Bobcat in Los Penesquitos Canyon
While filming the first in
a series of mini-docs for the Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon a radio
collared bobcat made a brief appearance a couple hundred feet from
where we were filming an interview. I was able to get a few seconds of
footage before it disappeared into the bush. (VIEW)
Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon
Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon
Video Integration Builds Outreach Potential
Is your organization using video effectively? With over 60 hours of video being uploaded to the internet per minute, there is no question that video has emerged as a valuable way to reach an audience. A creative, professionally edited film can stir emotions and thought, and can communicate your message to donors and stakeholders more powerfully than any mailing piece or email message. Integrating video into your communications strategy can help you raise funds, inform people about important issues, or inspire them to get involved. Distributing your video on your website or through social media channels exposes your mission and message to a broader audience.
Video: Not Just for the Web
Although internet distribution may be your primary goal, a high-definition video can also be used with large video displays, at public kiosks, or recorded on DVD for distribution to schools and libraries. These films can also help you raise awareness and donations at any of the following venues:
- Small Theater Presentations
- Public Space Kiosks
- Local and Regional Public Access
- PBS & Cable Broadcast
- DVD Fundraiser / Mailing
- Public Outreach Presentations
Read more about the ways to use and distribute your video here.
A Growing Audience for
Nature Films On-Line
I have always felt it important for presentation and distribution to be an essential part of film production, whether broadcast, theater, kiosk, DVD or web. That is why I am very excited about an ever growing audience for nature films on-line. In the past year web films I have produced for conservation organizations that are hosted on Vimeo and embedded into client’s sites as well as fieldnotes.com have been loaded over 78,000 times and played over 9,000 times. With over 10,000 loads and 1,600 plays in the last month. It is all good and getting better.
Web video is fast becoming the most effective way to communicate a message, tell a story or promote a product or service. For nature conservation organizations web films can visually demonstrate the importance of their efforts and how we can all take part in protecting and preserving wild areas. They not only inspire people to get involved but also encourage people to get out and appreciate nature through outdoor recreation.
I now feel having an adventure component is key to the success of these conservation focused web films. I have found that the most viewed webisodes are those that have a recreation or exploration background story. So I encourage clients to use outdoor recreation such as hiking or adventure travel to present their conservation message. A good example of this is films produced for the Torrey Pines Association on The Trails of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and the Torrey Pines Extension. In the process of showing the many hiking opportunities in the reserve the films also talk about trail maintenance efforts and park rules. Others talk about habitats and species while exploring areas within a park.
#1 - Jim's Canon 7d DSLR Rig
As both a photographer / filmmaker specializing in nature programming, having one system that can do both high quality stills and HD video would be ideal. And we’re getting close.
I’ve been producing web films with the Canon 7D for some time and would like to share with you my experiences dealing with some of the benefits and limitations of shooting with a DSLR.
In this segment I will show you some of the modification I’ve made on my rig to make it easier to work with in the field.
NEW Note Card Sets
California Trails Project
The Wilds of San Diego is a campaign to increase public awareness of the beauty and natural diversity of San Diego County. This note card series is a selection of images from this film project.
Images are printed on water color paper and hand mounted on recycled kraft card stock. Sets include 12 - 4.25 x 5.25 note cards and envelops.
The Wilds of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve - Note Cards
ECO-EDUCATION THROUGH RECREATION
Getting people to watch environmental or nature conservation programming has always been challenging. Often we are just preaching to the choir. It seems the majority of viewers are those that already have an interest and appreciation for these topics. This is fine, but if we really want to reach a broader audience to inform them of important conservation issues and increase their appreciation for nature there should be an entertainment value to the programming. It doesn’t have to be fast cut footage of animals chasing and killing each other or people in life threatening situations. If nature films are based around adventure, exploration and outdoor recreation they have a greater chance of being viewed by a broader audience. I have found that the most successful nature films are those that explore trails and public access as a background story and in the process inform people about habitats, species and conservation topics. Another benefit to this format is that it encourages people to get out and reconnect with nature. Web Films have the added value of providing text and links so people can view maps and connect with related organizations for more information.
New Logo for fieldnotes.com and a new effort to expand fieldnotes.com coverage of nature conservation and research activities throughout California with
fieldnotes.com - California
Eco-Film Sponsors
Web films are a powerful way to communicate your message. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an eco-film or possibly creating you own web tv series, please contact me by email or phone at 760-525-6045.
Web films are a powerful way to communicate your message. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an eco-film or possibly creating you own web tv series, please contact me by email or phone at 760-525-6045.
The Wilds of
San Diego
A high definition film series promoting
the natural diversity of San Diego County
BLOG http://jkfilms-wsd.blogspot.com/
First Friday Artwalk At Bernardo Winery - Friday, August 5
I'll have landscape photography and a new note card series for The Wilds of San Diego on display at the First Friday Artwalk At Bernardo Winery tomorrow. Come enjoy some great acoustic performances by some local talent and walk around the winery with some vino and snacks in-hand and take in all the wonderful art brought to you by local artists. Admission is free, and it runs every first Friday evening of the month til 8pm.
IN PRODUCTION
I am working on the final edit of a Web Film about Wildlife Corridors for the City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation, Open Space Division. Barry Martin with Western Tracking Institute talks about the importance of providing safe corridors for wildlife to move from one core area to another. We followed him and a tracking team in training as they explored the Shaw Lopez tunnel in San Diego.
Just completed a short instructional video on SkyHawk Optics binoculars using the Canon 7D system. These ultra high powered 25x/40x 100mm binoculars are fantastic for viewing wildlife from a stationary position. Here is the video (VIEW)
NEW FILMS ON-LINE (Please share these films with others)
Five Habitats of San Diego
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation
Vernal Pools of San Diego
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation
The Hidden Treasures of Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines Association
Fieldnotes.com is Expanding It’s Coverage
Fieldnotes.com has focused mainly on web films about conserving and protecting wild places. But a key component of nature conservation is sustainable human ecology. Thus fieldnotes.com is expanding its coverage to include more eco lifestyle stories, products, services and travel. Film topic suggestions are always welcome.
Fieldnotes.com has focused mainly on web films about conserving and protecting wild places. But a key component of nature conservation is sustainable human ecology. Thus fieldnotes.com is expanding its coverage to include more eco lifestyle stories, products, services and travel. Film topic suggestions are always welcome.
Viewership is growing on fieldnotes.com as I continue to develop new distribution avenues. The more these films are shared, embedded and viewed, the more effective they will be in increasing public awareness of wild places and efforts to protect them. I recently made contact with Untamed Science, an educational content provider. They agreed to carry fieldnotes.com web films. In addition, I was requested to submit about 14 films to an international on-line film festival called Green Unplugged.
Recent Wild Web Films Additions
Bird Watching San Diego Style
This series was created from a cable program I produced a few years back for San Diego County Cable and Nature Festivals of San Diego. I just added two more segments that provide tips and techniques for bird watching in habitats of San Diego County. Although filmed in southern California, these tips and techniques apply to similar habitats around the world.
BIRDING IN MOUNTAIN HABITATS - (VIEW)
Hosted by US Forest Service Biologist, Kristen Winter, you’ll learn about some of the common birds found in the oak and coniferous forests of San Diego County mountains.
BIRDING AROUND LAGOONS AND MARSHES - (VIEW)
Join naturalist, Barbara Moore as we explore San Elijo Lagoon’s abundant bird life and learn how to spot birds in lagoons and marshes.
Over 40 other films are viewable on-line
More Wild Web Videos Coming Soon
GSOB – The Goldspotted Oak Borer is killing oaks in California and has now been found in coastal areas of San Diego. This web film discusses the spread of this tiny insect. Training of volunteers to spot potential infestations will be an important factor in controlling this pest.
VERNAL POOLS
Vernal Pools are shallow indentations in the ground found mainly on mesas here in San Diego. Most of the year they are dry and bare, but after brief winter rains they come to life and host a variety of unique creatures including spadefoot toads (Spea hammondii) and the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). As they begin to dry out in the spring beautiful wildflowers create a tapestry of color.
EXPLORING THE TORREY PINE EXTENSION
Hosted by Peter Jensen, we’ll hike some of the trails of this little known reserve tucked in the hills of Del Mar, California.
Nature Film Production Workshop
There has been some interest in learning more about nature film production and I'm planning to do a workshop in the spring of 2011. It will be open to everyone and include using video cameras, still cameras and even cell phones for making movies. If you're interested in participating please let me know.
There has been some interest in learning more about nature film production and I'm planning to do a workshop in the spring of 2011. It will be open to everyone and include using video cameras, still cameras and even cell phones for making movies. If you're interested in participating please let me know.
I'm looking forward to a spectacular spring with all the early wet weather we've had here in Southern California. This winter/spring is when I plan to do the bulk of the filming for The Wilds of San Diego.
NEW BLOG
Created a new blog to follow production of The Wilds of San Dieo. Through this blog I will post production field notes, Information about habitats & species, supporting organizations, and wildlife filming.
Here is the link: http://jkfilms-wsd.blogspot.com/
CONNECTING CHILDREN TO NATURE
A new web video about Connecting Children to Nature was created for the City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation Department (VIEW). It's seems to be well received and is getting a lot of distribution.
Canon 7D DSLR
Work continues with the Canon 7D DSLR system for shooting HD video. Over the holidays I shot a web film for San Diego Botanic Garden on their Holiday Garden of Lights. Every year they deck the garden in thousands of lights and provide all sorts of festivities such as Santa Claus, Wagon Rides, roasting marshmallows on an open fire, spiced wine and kids activities. All great fun. Using the DSLR allowed me to capture long night exposures that can be incorporated into the video.
- The length has increased from 1-3 minutes to 3-5 minutes
- They will be filmed in high definition, providing higher quality on-line viewing and additional distribution options to broadcast cable TV.
- The best thing is, I’m going to continue to offer this package at the extremely low rate of $750 or $700 each for a series of 6 or more.
NEW WEB FILMS ON-LINE
Five Facts About Torrey Pine Trees
Torrey Pines Association (VIEW)
Native Americans & Nature, Tecolote Canyon
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation (VIEW)
Stewardship at
Mission Trails Regional Park
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation (VIEW)
The Lodge that "Miss Scripps" Built
Torrey Pines Association (VIEW)
I've uploaded four new Wild Web Films for you to view and share. The two for San Diego Botanic Garden are in HD (High Definition). They look great in full screen. Of course you do need a good computer with high speed access.
The Lodge that "Miss Scripps" Built - Torrey Pines Association (VIEW)
2010 Insect Festival - San Diego Botanic Gardens (VIEW)
Frogs & Lizards - San Diego Botanic Gardens (VIEW)
Attack of the Invasives! - Torrey Pines Association (VIEW)
Wild Web Film Production Offer
These short mini-docs are an effective way to tell your story. I'm still offering a great deal to non-profit organizations on producing these web films, $750 each or $700 for six or more. However, the $750 / 1-3 minute package will be discontinued in November and replaced with $975 / 3-5 minute package. Still a great deal!
Sustainable Energy Week
A couple of weeks ago I filmed the Sustainable Energy week for the California Center for Sustainable Energy located here in San Diego. The Sunday family event had tons of displays and activities related to new products and services to help make our energy intensive lifestyles more sustainable. There were electric cars and scooters, solar electric and water systems, and even a solar powered stage where live bands played throughout the afternoon. California Center for Sustainable Energy is open to the public and provides workshops on all sorts of energy topics.
I continue to work on the Wilds of San Diego using the Canon 7D to capture spectacular High Definition images of the county's natural diversity. I've edited a preview piece together with the footage I have so far. This preview is being shown at various venus around the county including The Reuben H Fleet Science Center. On July 27th it will be displayed at the “Nature Education Fair” at Mission Trail Regional Park.
A P R I L 2 0 1 0
WILD WEB FILMS
TV
I added a Vimeo feature that allows you to visually scan throught
Wild Web Films. As more of these films are produced and uploaded
this feature will help you choose which films to watch. (VISIT)
MORE WILD WEB
FILM SERIES IN PRODUCTION
This month I begin production on two new multi episode web projects.
One series is for the Torrey
Pines Association. It will be based on the various trails
you can hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The other
series is for the City of San Diego - Open Space Division. It
will explore the many parks, reserves and projects the city has
to offer.
M A R C H 2 0 1 0
GEO-PHOTO TOUR - Sept 30 - Oct 7, 2010
Update Click here for details
AMBIENT SOUNDTRACKS
Gary Johnson
& Bill Olien of Resonant Drift have created new ambient soundtracks
for the Yosemite and Sequoia Wilderness Theater pieces. We are
looking into collaborating on longer film that may be part of
a live performance in the future.
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0
New Website Design
I redesigned this website with a cleaner design that focuses
on Wilderness Theater and on-line nature films.
There are a number of films now viewable on-line, from short
web-films to 30 min. documentaries. More will be added over time.
IN PRODUCTION
Web
Films
I recently completed two web films, one for the San Diego
River Park Foundation on volunteerism and another for
Friends of Rose Canyon about children harvesting and spreading
native plant seeds. Three more are in production. Web Films
are a great low cost way to reach the masses using social media
sites like Vimeo and YouTube.
IN DEVELOPMENT
Wild
Habitats of San Diego
With the rains we're having this season we can look forward to
a spectacular spring. Many plants are already beginning to bloom.
This would be a perfect year for filming the Wild
Habitats of San Diego series. This is a multi organization
media campaign to increase awareness of San Diego's spectacular
natural diversity through a high definition film series presented
in public spaces. This project could easily be expanded statewide.
Please contact me for more information.
